Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Arma Hobby Announces New Curtiss Tomahawk IIb Model Kit

Arma Hobby has announced an upcoming Curtiss Tomahawk IIb model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIB was the RAF designation for the Curtiss H81-A3, broadly equivalent to the U.S. P-40C Warhawk. An early-war, Allison-powered single-seat fighter, it retained the P-40’s rugged all-metal construction and distinctive chin radiator, while adding improved fuel protection, revised equipment, and provision for a drop tank; its armament comprised two .50-calibre machine guns in the nose and four .303-inch Brownings in the wings. Delivered from late 1940, the type served chiefly with RAF, SAAF, and other Commonwealth units in North Africa, where it was effective at low and medium altitude but outclassed at higher levels by contemporary German fighters; substantial numbers also went to the Soviet Union and China.

The upcoming kit (70095) is based on Arma’s recently released, new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2. It includes canopy and wheel masks, Cartograf decals with three marking options and a code for downloading 3D-print files for the exhaust stacks, machine-gun barrels, gunsights and pilot’s seat with British harness. Shipping is currently planned for the third week of October.

Check out kit contents and livery profiles below.

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Hawker Typhoon vs German Flak Defenses: An Illustrated Study

Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author Matthew Bone is Typhoon vs German Flak Defences: Western Europe 1943–45, an illustrated study of the evolving tactics that powered the deadly clashes between the RAF’s Typhoon Mk IB fighter-bomber and the Flakwaffesdefendinganti-aircraftarsenal.

The Flakwaffe’s role was to protect the Wehrmacht’s men, machines and material from aerial attack. Opposing them was the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF), whose fighter-bomber spear was tipped with the Typhoon Mk IB, a fighter modified beyond its original intent. The tactics and weaponry of both adversaries evolved as each sought to outdraw the other, with ‘Bombphoon’ and rocket Typhoon squadrons combining their efforts whilst the Flakwaffe laid deadly traps in fields and on trucks and railway wagons.

In this engrossing study, Typhoon expert Matthew Bone chronicles the exploits of the 2nd TAF’s fighter-bombers and the Flakwaffe arsenal into whose crosshairs they ventured. Drawing on contemporary records of Typhoon operations and historical details of Flak crews, this detailed account utilises newly commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams to shed fresh light on the tactical development of both sides, and the price the RAF ultimately paid for victory.

The 80 page, paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for April 29.

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Eduard Releases Limited Edition P-40N Representing 15,000th Curtiss Fighter

New for October is Eduard’s limited edition “15,000th” P-40N Warhawk model kit in 1/48 scale.

The kit (11193) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts painting masks and Eduard decals. The livery represents the 15,000th Curtiss fighter, which was received by the USAAF on November 22, 1944 and decorated with the markings of twenty-eight countries that used Curtiss aircraft. As a bonus, the kit also includes a second livery representing the aircraft “O’Riley’s Daughter” flown by Capt. Philip E. Colman, 26th FS, 5th FG.

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MiniArt Releases Renders of Upcoming Fw 190D-13 Model Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a new Fw 190D-13 kit in 1/48 scale.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 was a rare late-war “Dora” fighter, developed from the long-nosed Fw 190D series and powered by a Junkers Jumo 213 inline engine. Armed with three 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, including one firing through the propeller spinner, it was intended as a high-performance interceptor but appeared too late and in too few numbers to have significant operational impact.

The model (48050) combines the Dora-series airframe with finely reproduced surface, rivet and panel line detail, detailed cockpit and exterior components and three marking options. As of this writing a final release date has not been announced, although a number of renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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Arma Hobby Releases New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 “Flying Tigers”

Arma Hobby has released their new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the release (70094) is the first in Arma’s new family of 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81, Tomahawk II and P-40B/C kits. It represents the export version of the Hawk 81-A2 operated by the AVG in China during 1941–1942. These aircraft wore a distinctive camouflage scheme based on British specifications and applied using American-made DuPont paints.

The kit offers three Flying Tigers marking options, 3D printed parts and painting masks.

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Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942

Coming soon from Texas A&M University Press and authors William H. Bartsch and Edward M. Rogers is Desperate Gambit: Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942, which reveals the untold story of how the Army Air Forces sent some eighty B-17 Flying Fortresses nearly 7,000 miles to Java to oppose the Japanese invasion.

In the dark days of World War II, just after Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces were moving almost at will across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. With his troops besieged in the Philippines and his bomber and fighter squadrons decimated, General MacArthur pressured the US War Department to provide urgent help, particularly for replacements for the B-17 bombers devastated in the December 8 attack on Clark Field. President Roosevelt committed to send a large force of heavy bombers and their crews to the Philippines, a reinforcement plan code named “Project X.” Continue reading Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942

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Museum Retrieves B-17 Remains, Future Plans to be Announced

The South Pacific WWII Museum in Luganville, Espiritu Santo (the largest Island of Vanuatu) has announced the acquisition and retrieval of the remains of B-17E (S/N 41-9227) “Yankee Doodle Jr.”

The aircraft crashed on December 31, 1942 while on a flight to Fiji to acquire liquor for a New Year’s Eve party, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot. It’s remains had been lying in the jungle inland from Million Dollar Point until the acquisition, which came about due to the generosity of the local landowner.

Plans for the remains will reportedly be announced in the upcoming South Pacific WWII Museum newsletter. Check out the full announcement and accompanying photos below.

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Eduard Releases ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat With PE, Five Liveries

Among Eduard’s September releases is a ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat model kit in 1/72 scale.

The F6F-3 was introduced in 1943 and became one of the principal American fighters of the Pacific War. Powered by a 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine and armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns, it combined high speed, heavy firepower, protection, and exceptional survivability. Designed to counter Japan’s Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Hellcat proved especially effective when flown to exploit its superior speed, dive performance, armor, and self-sealing fuel tanks; U.S. Navy and Marine Hellcat pilots ultimately claimed the majority of American air-to-air victories in the Pacific.

The kit (7074) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with five marking options.

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New Video Documents Recent Formation Flight of World’s Only Airworthy Helldivers

On August 20th, 2026 Fagen Fighters WWII Museum SB2C-5 Helldiver joined the CAF SB2C-5 Helldiver and the National Museum of WWII Aviation SB2C-1A Helldiver for a formation flight over Colorado Springs, Colorado. This marked the first formation flight in decades for the world’s only remaining airworthy Helldivers.

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a U.S. Navy carrier-based dive bomber developed during World War II to replace the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Larger, faster, and more heavily armed than its predecessor, it carried a two-man crew, internal bomb bay, wing-mounted 20 mm cannon, and could deliver bombs, rockets, or depth charges against ships and land targets. Although early production aircraft were troubled by handling, reliability, and structural problems—earning unflattering nicknames from many crews—the Helldiver was steadily improved and became an important late-war strike aircraft, serving in major Pacific operations from 1943 through 1945 and remaining in postwar service with several foreign air arms.

Today, Fagan Fighters WWII Museum released a new film produced by Scott and Kyle Guyette capturing the once-in-a-lifetime event. Check it out below.

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1941 Waco UPF-7 For Sale: “Only 30 Hours Since Restoration”

A 1941 Waco UPF-7 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1941 Waco UPF-7, serial number 5708 and registration N32076, is a classic open-cockpit biplane showing approximately 2,500 hours total time and only 30 hours since restoration. It is equipped with a 96-inch Curtiss-Reed propeller along with modern Trig communications equipment and ADS-B Out.

The aircraft is located in Torrance, CA with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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